A week passed and Andromeda was sitting on proverbial pins and needles. She replied to the letter from her mother the next day, informing Druella Black what she wanted – which was completely opposite of what Druella Black planned for her. She didn't want to be married so soon after turning 18 and certainly not to the loathsome young man named Rabastan Lestrange. Sharing a common house at school was hideous enough for her – sharing a home, much less a bed, with the ingrate would be entirely too much.

In her letter to her mother, she informed her mother of her choices and career plans. She signed a contract for Healer training and would be starting there August 1st. And, as she learned in History of Magic class, a magical contract was binding. Druella Black couldn't break that one at all.

At least she hoped that her mother couldn't find a loophole to break her contract. When her Mother wanted something, she was worse than a goblin in exploitation.

And then there was Ted. Her Hufflepuff was surprising her left and right. He was being sweet, sending her letters and having an elf leave her flowers where she least expected it. He was joining her in the library for her research hours, doing nothing more than just sharing space at a study table. At least he was being respectable and a gentleman in front of others. Behind closed doors and away from prying eyes was something else.

The few moments a day they shared away from gossipmongers and magpies were what she cherished most. Whether it was on rounds in the evening or in their room away from it all, Ted was there for her. As soon as the door was sealed she was in his arms. Whether they snogged or settled for the comfort of a hug that felt like coming home, Ted was there.

Unlike the rest of the people in her House, he wasn't afraid to approach her, or treat her like a person.

The same was said for this morning. Saturday morning in the Great hall was a sedate affair. Few rose as early as Andromeda. The solitude was nice at her corner of the table. Cissy would stroll in about an hour later, as Andromeda was finishing her last cup of tea.

Screeches greeted the hall while post started dropping over the people sitting at the tables. Andromeda looked up to find Damocles flying towards her. Sure enough, the owl landed next to the platter of toast with parchment attached. This morning was shaping up to be different.

Dread bubbled in her stomach while she removed the letters from his proffered leg. At least it's not a howler, she ruminated. Yet she also didn't expect appreciation or support from her mother for the choices she made.

"Letters from home?" Narcissa inquired.

"There's one for you, too," Andromeda said, handing over the second envelope.

Andromeda watched Narcissa break the wax seal on the parchment and read through her letter. She didn't want to listen to the prattle of her younger sister talking of how wonderful Mother and Father were. She picked up her books and started her walk out of the Great Hall.

"Where are you going, Andy?"

"I need to go study. It's two months before the start of NEWTS. You would be wise also to start revising for your OWLS."

"I'm not you, Andy. I'm not trying to be top of my class."

"Suit yourself."

"What did Mum say to you?"

Andromeda turned to her younger sister sitting at the end of the table. Andy had schooled her features to stillness. "Mother and I are in a disagreement about my future. I'm sure this letter will be her expressing displeasure with what I choose to do."

"Andy, don't cross Mum. It's not worth it."

Andromeda gave her sister a puzzled look. "If you were betrothed to Rabastan, wouldn't you fight against it?"

"Rabastan? That prat? That's who she chose for you?"

Andromeda nodded.

"Now I see why you are in a disagreement with her."

"Be thankful you actually like your betrothed. I'm hardly amenable to Rabastan."

"Andy, please consider – "

"We'll speak later today, Cissy. I do need to go study."

"If you insist."

Andromeda walked away from her sister at the table. She needed solitude to deal with her problem. Maybe Ted would be there with her to help as well.

The walk was long and far from quiet. Her thoughts were trod upon by the kids playing in the hallways. Saturday mornings were boisterous until she gave a look. The children would scatter under her hard gaze until she rounded a corner. She normally didn't mind the children playing but this morning was different. She craved solitude so she could formulate her next letter to her parents.

She walked into her sanctuary and saw Ted sitting at a desk in the corner, studying. One flick of her wrist and the room was sealed and silenced. She turned back to the studious young man in the corner. She smiled at her hard-working Hufflepuff.

Andromeda crossed the room and ran her fingers through his unkempt hair. He leaned into her touch and smiled under the scrape of her nails over his scalp. "I knew you'd be along eventually."

"Narcissa cornered me about my letter and I couldn't walk away without answering her. It would have been poor taste otherwise."

"Is that a reply from your parents?"

"I've been expecting it this week. I'm sure it will be harsh since I basically refuted her in the last letter."

"But she can't break what you've already signed, right?"

"Hardly. As far as I know, there is no way to counteract a magically binding contract."

"Well, go on, open it. You know she's going to be less than pleased with you."

Andromeda broke the wax seal on the back of the letter and opened it. The ink on the parchment dripped venom through the words scribed onto the velum. No consideration for the efforts we have worked to provide for your continuing comfort. Andromeda gritted her teeth at her mother's insults. What you want to do in life is secondary to what you are expected to perform, as a duty and expectation to your station in polite society. She ground her teeth at the continued barrage from her mother. Heresy to be a Healer and be content to be a wife and a mother, not a low bred aberration of humanity, having to work for her place in their world, and the nail in the letter, your nuptials are arranged for 1st of August whether you approve of them or not. You are expected home immediately following the completion of your formal education for your fitting of your formal wedding attire.

Andromeda didn't bother with the rest of the letter, documenting her itinerary before the wedding.

"What did she say?"

Ted's quiet words pulled her back from the animosity she had for her parents. "They basically said that what I want in life is folly."

"But there are options and choices. We've discussed them at length."

"Healer school is three years. Can we live on your income if things go sideways?"

"I might not be the smartest one here at Hogwarts but I am the hardest working one. I'm not without means. I might not have house elves and wings to a residence but it will be a life of your own choosing. We'll make it work." Ted took her hand and held it between both of his own. "Besides, my family already knows. I told them two years ago I fancied you."

"You've fancied me for years? Why didn't you say anything before this year?"

Ted looked down at the tips of his shoes. "You seemed so distant, so cold, so haughty."

Andromeda chuckled at that idea.

"Since then I've gotten to know you, whether in class or on rounds. Once you look past the name, and the carriage you carry, I saw who you are, under the demeanor. You have the heart of a Hufflepuff, treating everyone, whether high-born or Muggleborn, the same way. Unlike the other sods in your House that treat everyone based on bloodlines or heritage, you treat everyone the same, regardless of any benefit to you. You don't care which house someone is in – only if he or she breaks a rule or needs help."

Andromeda looked up at Ted. "What made you notice?"

"The way you handled that ickle firstie in the third floor hallway first day of term – taking him to his class and not reporting him out of bounds like you should have. There was nothing he could do for you yet you helped him."

"It was the right thing to do." Andromeda scoffed. "But you shouldn't be surprised. I learned it from you."

"You should have been a 'Puff."

"Hardly. My parents would have tried to raze the school if I was sorted anywhere but in Slytherin."

Ted took both of her hands in his, placing them on his jumper over his heart. "Run away with me. We'll get married and live hand to mouth and it'll be the life you want."

"You're serious, aren't you?"

Ted smiled down at the witch in his arms. "I wouldn't have offered or proposed if I was anything less than besotted with you."

"This isn't like Muggles who marry and divorce at the drop of a hat. I would want a binding."

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

Andromeda leaned in and felt a kiss on her cheek. "My family won't accept you."

"They won't have a choice, will they, once we're married."

"Not necessarily."

"Are you worried about their lack of approval?"

"I am, somewhat. They are short-sighted and foolish and hold to some strange notions but they are my family. But I hope my trip home for Easter break will give me opportunity to change her mind."

"Do you want me to accompany you home and see if I can help sway their way of thinking?"

Andromeda looked at Ted like he drank contaminated Polyjuice. "You must be barmy to think that you can sway them. They only care for heritage and which House you are in and who your parents are. They wouldn't care that you are top of our class, or that you already have a job or that your parents are owners of a bed and breakfast in Cumbria." She gave him a hard look. "The only thing that they care about is that you aren't a Pureblood wizard. They would probably protest even if you were a half-blood. That's why they picked that effeminate fool Rabastan Lestrange. He has the proper heritage and nothing else. They don't care that he's a ponce or that he is cruel and lazy and a spendthrift. All they care about is that he's a Pureblood."

"You're serious, aren't you?"

"Sadly, yes. They've disowned so many in our family, for either being Muggle Lovers, or making choices they didn't agree with or approve of. Their behavior most of the time is cruel, using social pressures to make them conform to their ideology."

Andromeda laid her head down on his chest once again. "I will consider my choice after this break. One of us will relent, one way or another."